Defender Alvaro Alvares scored a last-gasp winner as Kannur Warriors defeated ten-man Thrissur Magic 2-1 in the second match of Super League Kerala at the Payyanad Stadium in Manjeri, Malappuram on Monday.
The Thrissur side, led by former India international C K Vineeth, took the lead in the 37th minute. Abijith Sarkar converted a well-constructed move by Vineeth, who hails from Kannur. Vineeth had hit the crossbar with a header early on.
Though both sides had chances in the first half, the Magic went into the dugout with the lead. The Warriors opened the second half with higher intensity, but the Magic defence, led by Mailson Alves, stood firm.
However, Spanish forward David Grande equalised in the 70th minute to ensure a thrilling final 20 minutes. The game took a dramatic turn when the Magic's Hendry Antonay was sent off for attempting to stop a dangerous Warriors attack.
The Warriors went for the win and were rewarded in added time when Alvares found the back of the net.
